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Eric Woodyard, who covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN, reports that the Lions’ right tackle Penei Sewell hasn’t dwelled on last season’s early playoff disappointment. Following their surprising 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, Sewell admitted he was upset for a few days but quickly moved on. “Honestly, who cares about what happened? We’re looking ahead and working hard every day,” Sewell said.
As the Lions gear up for the 2025 season, they will kick off preseason play against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, their first appearance since 1991. Inside the organization, many storylines are unfolding—from reshaping the offensive line and integrating new coordinators to battling for the backup quarterback role and evaluating rookies.
Coach Dan Campbell plans to rest most starters during preseason to avoid injuries but emphasized the importance of focusing on improvement. Detroit’s preseason will continue with a trip to Atlanta and a home game against Miami Dolphins followed by Houston Texans.
New coordinators have taken over after losing defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who moved on to head coaching jobs with the Jets and Bears, respectively. Kelvin Sheppard steps in as defensive coordinator, having been with the team since 2021 and leading linebackers recently. Offensive coordinator John Morton, who previously worked with the Lions, aims to build on Detroit’s league-leading 33.2 points per game in 2024 without feeling pressured. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown praised Morton for blending past successful methods with the Lions’ offensive style.
The backup quarterback competition is heating up between newly signed Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker, who was drafted in 2023 and is vying for the QB2 spot behind starter Jared Goff. Hooker admits his camp has been average but is confident in his ability to perform and win during the preseason.
Detroit’s rookie class in 2025 may not seem as strong on paper but is expected to contribute, especially in the preseason. The Lions’ first-round pick was Ohio State defensive tackle Tyreke Williams, followed by trades and selections to strengthen the offensive line and add depth. Rookie receivers Isaac Taylor and Dominique Lovett have shown promise in camp and special teams. Coach Campbell wants to give young players real game experience to evaluate them.
The offensive line is undergoing significant changes as the Lions lost key veterans Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler. Second-round pick Tae Rathledge has impressed in camp and is expected to play early alongside Sewell, Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, and Dan Skipper. Confidence and consistency remain priorities under offensive line coach Hank Flory. Despite losing nearly 40% of their starting line, the Lions strive to maintain the high standard set by last year’s elite unit.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for NFL fans because it highlights Detroit’s determination to bounce back with fresh coaching and talent after a strong 2024 season. How the Lions manage their roster changes and develop backups and rookies could make them a team to watch in the competitive NFC North and signal trends in building resilient, adaptive squads in the league.
